Bird Key Sarasota FL Real Estate | Explore Waterfront Homes

Bird Key, Sarasota FL -- At a Glance

ZIP Code

34236

Population

843

Median Age

Avg. Individual Income

$181,362

Location

Between downtown Sarasota and St. Armands Circle

Waterfront Access

Deep water canals, no bridges to Gulf

Find Your Deep Water Lot on Bird Key

Roger Pettingell has sold more homes on Bird Key than any other agent. He knows the depth of every canal and can tell you exactly what draft your vessel needs to dock at each property before you make an offer.

Ask Roger About Canal Depths

Explore Sarasota's Waterfront Communities

What homes are for sale on Bird Key Sarasota?

Bird Key homes for sale range from deep-water bayfront estates (sailboat access, no bridges to the Gulf) priced from $8 million to $15 million and above, to garden canal homes and non-waterfront lots priced from $2 million to $4 million. Because Bird Key has only 843 residents and no new development land, inventory is limited and moves quickly. Roger Pettingell tracks Bird Key listings before they appear on public MLS and maintains relationships with owners considering a sale. Contact him for current available inventory.

What is Bird Key in Sarasota Florida?

Bird Key is an exclusive residential island community in Sarasota, Florida (ZIP 34236) situated between downtown Sarasota and St. Armands Circle. It is home to 843 residents with an average individual income of $181,362 -- one of the highest per-capita income areas in Sarasota. The community is defined by its deep-water canals (many with no bridge restrictions to the Gulf), the Bird Key Yacht Club with a 42-slip marina, and its "5-Minute Rule" -- 5 minutes to downtown Sarasota and 5 minutes to Lido Key Beach.

How deep are the canals on Bird Key?

Canal depth on Bird Key varies significantly by location and is one of the most critical factors for boat owners. Bayfront estates on the eastern edge of Bird Key have unrestricted deep water access capable of accommodating mega yachts and sailboats ($8M-$15M+ price range). Sailboat canals offer deep water with no bridge restrictions and accommodate large cruisers over 50 feet ($4M-$8M range). Garden canals have standard depth with some bridge restrictions, suitable for runabouts and pontoon boats ($3M-$5M range). Roger Pettingell knows the specific draft depth of every canal on Bird Key -- contact him before making an offer on any waterfront property.

What is the Bird Key Yacht Club?

The Bird Key Yacht Club is the social and recreational hub of Bird Key, featuring a 42-slip marina with wet slips and lifts, a fitness center, tennis courts, and a waterfront dining terrace with views of the Sarasota downtown skyline. Membership is available to Bird Key residents and is considered essential for the full island experience. Notably, even Bird Key garden lot (non-waterfront) owners can keep their boat at the Yacht Club marina, making waterfront lifestyle accessible across all property types on the island.

How high above sea level is Bird Key?

Bird Key sits at a low elevation typical of Florida barrier island communities, with most properties at approximately 5-8 feet above sea level. Buyers should obtain a current FEMA flood zone determination and elevation certificate for any specific property, as flood zone designation and flood insurance requirements vary by location within the community. Roger Pettingell can provide guidance on flood history and insurance considerations for any Bird Key property.

Who is the best real estate agent for Bird Key Sarasota?

Roger Pettingell has sold more homes on Bird Key than any other individual agent in Sarasota. His knowledge of canal depth, bridge clearance, and Yacht Club access at each specific lot is unmatched. He represents both buyers seeking deep-water access and sellers who want to attract the right boating buyer for their property. For Bird Key real estate, contact Roger Pettingell directly.

Bird Key: The Boater's Sanctuary

Deep Water Canals, No Bridges, and Minutes to the Gulf

Bird Key (34236) is not just a neighborhood; it is a nautical lifestyle. Located between downtown Sarasota and St. Armands Circle, it is one of the few communities where you can dock a 60ft+ yacht in your backyard and be in the Gulf of Mexico in under 10 minutes.

However, for the serious boater, not all lots are created equal. The difference between a "Canal Lot" and a "Bayfront Lot" can mean the difference between parking a center console or a sailboat.

The Bird Key Water Matrix

Can your boat fit? A guide to water depth and bridge clearance.

Location Type	Water Depth	Vessel Capacity	Price Tier
Bayfront Estates	Deep / Unrestricted	Mega Yachts / Sailboats	$8M - $15M+
Sailboat Canals	Deep / No Bridges	Large Cruisers (50ft+)	$4M - $8M
Garden Canals	Standard / Bridges	Runabouts / Pontoons	$3M - $5M
Garden Lots (Dry)	N/A	N/A (Use Yacht Club)	$2M - $3M

The Bird Key Yacht Club Lifestyle

Life here revolves around the Bird Key Yacht Club. Unlike many other clubs, this is a true social hub for residents.

For Boaters: The club features a 42-slip marina with wet slips and lifts. Even if you buy a "Garden Lot" (non-waterfront), you can still keep your boat on the island.

For Socialites: With a fitness center, tennis courts, and a waterfront dining terrace offering the best skyline views of Sarasota, membership is virtually a requirement for the full experience.

Location: The "5-Minute" Rule

Bird Key residents live by the "5-Minute Rule."

5 Minutes East: Downtown Sarasota (Opera, Theater, Whole Foods).
5 Minutes West: Lido Key Beach and St. Armands Circle (Dining/Shopping).

You are physically separated from the traffic, yet instantly connected to the culture.

Find Your Deep Water Lot

Roger Pettingell has sold more homes on Bird Key than any other agent. He knows the depth of every canal.

Ask Roger About Draft Depths

Overview for Bird Key, FL

722 people live in Bird Key, where the median age is 65 and the average individual income is $199,001. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

722

Total Population

65 years

Median Age

High

Population Density Population Density
This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

$199,001

Average individual Income

Around Bird Key, FL

There's plenty to do around Bird Key, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.

7

Car-Dependent

Walking Score

44

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score

Points of Interest

Explore popular things to do in the area, including Foxy Lady-West, Monkee's of Sarasota, and Patchington.

Name	Category	Distance	Reviews	Ratings by Yelp
Visit the Foxy Lady-West page on Yelp Search 481 John Ringling Blvd on Google Maps	Shopping	1 miles	4 reviews	2/5 stars
Visit the Monkee's of Sarasota page on Yelp Search 55 South Blvd Of The Presidents on Google Maps	Shopping	1.01 miles	1 review	1/5 stars
Visit the Patchington page on Yelp Search 386 Saint Armands Cir on Google Maps	Shopping	1.06 miles	1 review	1/5 stars
Visit the Leggiadro page on Yelp Search 380 St Armands Cir on Google Maps	Shopping	1.07 miles	2 reviews	3/5 stars
Visit the StingRay Beach Wear page on Yelp Search 372 St Armands Cir on Google Maps	Shopping	1.08 miles	0 reviews	0/5 stars
Visit the Olivia Office page on Yelp Search 11 S Blvd Of Presidents on Google Maps	Shopping	1.11 miles	0 reviews	0/5 stars
Visit the Island Pursuit page on Yelp Search 355 Saint Armands Cir on Google Maps	Shopping	1.12 miles	1 review	5/5 stars
Visit the Tommy Bahama page on Yelp Search 371 St Armands Cir on Google Maps	Shopping	1.12 miles	0 reviews	0/5 stars
Visit the Island Woman Silk page on Yelp Search 310 John Ringling Blvd on Google Maps	Shopping	1.14 miles	0 reviews	0/5 stars
Visit the James Gibson Charters page on Yelp	Active	0.54 miles	0 reviews	0/5 stars
Visit the High Class Hooker Charters page on Yelp	Active	0.54 miles	0 reviews	0/5 stars
Visit the Allen Play Area page on Yelp Search Marina Jack Trl on Google Maps	Active	1.27 miles	4 reviews	4/5 stars
Visit the Enterprise Sailing Chartered page on Yelp Search 2 Marina Plz on Google Maps	Active	1.29 miles	1 review	4/5 stars
Visit the Sarasota Offshore Fishing Charters page on Yelp Search 2 Marina Plaza on Google Maps	Active	1.29 miles	2 reviews	4/5 stars
Visit the Charter Boat Shark page on Yelp Search 2 Marina Plz on Google Maps	Active	1.29 miles	18 reviews	3.9/5 stars
Visit the Infinity Solar Boats LLC page on Yelp	Active	1.32 miles	0 reviews	0/5 stars
Visit the Katie Jean Hair page on Yelp	Beauty	0.54 miles	0 reviews	0/5 stars
Visit the Hair Designs of St Armands page on Yelp Search 10 S Adams Dr on Google Maps	Beauty	0.97 miles	0 reviews	0/5 stars
Visit the Results page on Yelp Search 96 N Washington Dr on Google Maps	Beauty	1.01 miles	0 reviews	0/5 stars
Visit the Altiora Plastic Surgery & Med Spa page on Yelp Search 443 John Ringling on Google Maps	Beauty	1.03 miles	3 reviews	3.7/5 stars
Visit the Dayna Purcell Hair page on Yelp Search 1816 Hillview on Google Maps	Beauty	1.13 miles	8 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Spa By Grace page on Yelp Search 310 John Ringling Blvd on Google Maps	Beauty	1.15 miles	0 reviews	0/5 stars
Visit the Nail Capitol page on Yelp Search 563 N Washington Dr on Google Maps	Beauty	1.17 miles	8 reviews	4/5 stars

Demographics and Employment Data for Bird Key, FL

Population Households Employment

Bird Key has 366 households, with an average household size of 2. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Bird Key do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

722

Total Population

High

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

65 years

Median Age

51 / 49%

Men vs Women

Population by Age Group

0-9:

0-9 Years

10-17:

10-17 Years

18-24:

18-24 Years

25-64:

25-64 Years

65-74:

65-74 Years

75+:

75+ Years

Education Level

Less Than 9th Grade
High School Degree
Associate Degree
Bachelor Degree
Graduate Degree

366

Total Households

2

Average Household Size

$199,001

Average individual Income

Households with Children

With Children:

Without Children:

Marital Status

Married

Single

Divorced

Separated

Blue vs White Collar Workers

Blue Collar:

White Collar:

Commute Time

0 to 14 Minutes

15 to 29 Minutes

30 to 59 Minutes

60+ Minutes

Search Homes in the Area

Featured Properties

For Sale
$20,000,000

40 LIGHTHOUSE POINT DR, LONGBOAT KEY, FL 34228
- 7 Beds
- 8 Baths
- 6,800 Sq.Ft.
For Sale
$13,750,000

1161 WESTWAY DR, SARASOTA, FL 34236
- 6 Beds
- 8 Baths
- 6,221 Sq.Ft.
For Sale
$12,995,000

415 L AMBIANCE DR #PH-F, LONGBOAT KEY, FL 34228
- 4 Beds
- 4 Baths
- 4,912 Sq.Ft.
For Sale

$8,500,000

609 NORSOTA WAY, SARASOTA, FL 34242
For Sale
$7,450,000

8569 MIDNIGHT PASS RD, SARASOTA, FL 34242
- 4 Beds
- 5 Baths
- 6,033 Sq.Ft.
For Sale

$6,999,000

1199 WESTWAY DR, SARASOTA, FL 34236
For Sale
$6,995,000

2050 BENJAMIN FRANKLIN DR #PH1102, SARASOTA, FL 34236
- 4 Beds
- 5 Baths
- 5,987 Sq.Ft.
For Sale
$6,995,000

246 MORNINGSIDE DR, SARASOTA, FL 34236
- 4 Beds
- 6 Baths
- 4,617 Sq.Ft.
For Sale
$6,850,000

2116 CASEY KEY RD, NOKOMIS, FL 34275
- 4 Beds
- 4 Baths
- 5,590 Sq.Ft.
For Sale

$4,795,000

2417 CASEY KEY RD, NOKOMIS, FL 34275
Pending
$3,895,000

1960 BOYCE ST, SARASOTA, FL 34239
- 4 Beds
- 5 Baths
- 3,674 Sq.Ft.
For Sale
$3,850,000

464 GOLDEN GATE PT #304, SARASOTA, FL 34236
- 4 Beds
- 5 Baths
- 3,290 Sq.Ft.
For Sale
$3,850,000

8017 MANASOTA KEY RD, ENGLEWOOD, FL 34223
- 5 Beds
- 7 Baths
- 5,222 Sq.Ft.
Pending
$3,499,000

1300 BENJAMIN FRANKLIN DR #908, SARASOTA, FL 34236
- 2 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 3,330 Sq.Ft.
Pending
$3,499,000

7689 COVE TER, SARASOTA, FL 34231
- 4 Beds
- 4 Baths
- 4,564 Sq.Ft.
For Sale
$2,999,000

8250 HUGH ALISON PL, SARASOTA, FL 34240
- 5 Beds
- 5 Baths
- 5,163 Sq.Ft.
For Sale
$2,995,000

340 GULF OF MEXICO DR #136, LONGBOAT KEY, FL 34228
- 3 Beds
- 4 Baths
- 2,880 Sq.Ft.
Active Under Contract
$2,895,000

3548 FAIR OAKS LN, LONGBOAT KEY, FL 34228
- 4 Beds
- 5 Baths
- 3,470 Sq.Ft.
For Sale
$2,675,000

3530 MISTLETOE LN, LONGBOAT KEY, FL 34228
- 4 Beds
- 4 Baths
- 3,102 Sq.Ft.
For Sale
$2,495,000

3010 GRAND BAY BLVD #416, LONGBOAT KEY, FL 34228
- 3 Beds
- 4 Baths
- 2,925 Sq.Ft.
For Sale

$2,295,000

355 S SHORE DR, SARASOTA, FL 34234
For Sale
$1,999,000

3930 ELYSIAN WOODS LN, SARASOTA, FL 34231
- 4 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 3,531 Sq.Ft.
For Sale
$1,699,000

3194 CHARLES MACDONALD DR, SARASOTA, FL 34240
- 4 Beds
- 4 Baths
- 3,833 Sq.Ft.
Pending
$1,695,000

99 SUNSET DR #401, SARASOTA, FL 34236
- 3 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 2,516 Sq.Ft.
For Sale
$1,595,000

2425 GULF OF MEXICO DR #3A, LONGBOAT KEY, FL 34228
- 2 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 1,639 Sq.Ft.
For Sale
$1,395,000

1513 OAK ST #18, SARASOTA, FL 34236
- 3 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 1,910 Sq.Ft.
Pending
$1,199,000

1055 GULF OF MEXICO DR #504, LONGBOAT KEY, FL 34228
- 2 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 1,503 Sq.Ft.
For Sale
$1,175,000

3808 GULF OF MEXICO DR #E412, LONGBOAT KEY, FL 34228
- 3 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 2,544 Sq.Ft.
For Sale
$1,125,000

4525 GULF OF MEXICO DR #204, LONGBOAT KEY, FL 34228
- 2 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 1,362 Sq.Ft.
For Sale
$1,095,000

1919 LAUREL ST, SARASOTA, FL 34236
- 2 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 1,713 Sq.Ft.
For Sale
$999,000

5320 GULF OF MEXICO DR #101, LONGBOAT KEY, FL 34228
- 3 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 1,323 Sq.Ft.
For Sale
$944,000

2098 PALM VIEW RD, SARASOTA, FL 34240
- 4 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 3,732 Sq.Ft.
For Sale
$899,000

1350 SIESTA BAYSIDE DR #1350B, SARASOTA, FL 34242
- 3 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 1,495 Sq.Ft.
For Sale
$849,000

2546 LOMA LINDA ST, SARASOTA, FL 34239
- 3 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 1,779 Sq.Ft.
For Sale
$799,000

5311 GULF OF MEXICO DR #5, LONGBOAT KEY, FL 34228
- 2 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 1,110 Sq.Ft.
For Sale
$799,000

9000 BLIND PASS RD #303, SARASOTA, FL 34242
- 1 Bed
- 2 Baths
- 871 Sq.Ft.
For Sale
$699,000

1328 SIESTA BAYSIDE DR #1328C, SARASOTA, FL 34242
- 2 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 1,280 Sq.Ft.
For Sale
$699,000

800 N TAMIAMI TRL #321, SARASOTA, FL 34236
- 2 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 1,734 Sq.Ft.
For Sale
$329,000

1749 HILLVIEW ST #1, SARASOTA, FL 34239
- 2 Beds
- 1 Bath
- 743 Sq.Ft.
For Sale
$299,000

631 N ORANGE AVE #108, SARASOTA, FL 34236
- 2 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 784 Sq.Ft.
For Sale
$150,000

2491 CRISPIN CT #G3, SARASOTA, FL 34235
- 2 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 1,230 Sq.Ft.